Spindle brake



R. L. CARROLL SPINDLE BRAKE July 21, 1964 Filed Dec. 26, 1962 INVENTOR. Robert L. Carroll United States Patent 3,141,288 SPINDLE BRAKE Robert L. Carroll, 408 McIver St., Greenville, S.C. Filed Dec. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 247,237 8 Claims. (Cl. 5788) This invention relates to textiles and especially to a brake for stopping tape driven spindles in which the tape is removed from the whorl of the spindle and a braking action applied.

Spindle brakes in common use heretofore, have simply stopped the rotation of the spindle by mechanical force without removing the tape from the whorl of the top spindle. These spindle brakes have many disadvantages which include excessive wear on the tape resulting from excessive friction developed by the tape driven past the braked spindle and soft yarn resulting from the slowing down of other spindles being driven by the tape thus slowed in driving past the braked spindle. Such brakes present a cleaning problem in that the various parts thereof become fouled with lint and require frequent cleaning. Several attempts have been made to solve the problem by removing the tape from the spindle whorl and applying a braking force, such as that illustrated in United States Patent No. 2,879,639 in the name of Oswald E. Butcher. Such solutions to the problem have not been satisfactory, and the use of such spindle brakes is not extensive. This is largely because of the lint fouling of the several moving parts which have close tolerances.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide an improved spindle brake in which the tape is removed from the whorl prior to braking.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spindle brake which will have a minimum number of moving parts which will not be subject to lint fouling.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a spindle brake, the moving parts of which are of unitary construction in which the braking action is complemented by the force exerted by the tape upon the element carrying the tape when removed from the whorl.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and where- FIGURE 1 is a plan view illustrating a spindle brake constructed in accordance with the present invention in use in a spindle drive,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view illustrating a spindle equipped with a spindle brake constructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation illustrating a spindle brake constructed in accordance with the present invention in use on a spindle, and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the details of a spindle brake constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, a brake is illustrated for a spindle having a whorl driven by spinning tape in a spindle drive. An elongated element A in the form of an arcuate spring conforming generally to the whorl has a mounting B pivotally carrying the elongated element adjacent the spindle and in substantial alignment with the spindle whorl. A rotatable element C is carried by the elongated element A remote from the mounting B. A braking element D is carried by the means mounting same adjacent the spindle to traverse an arcuate path into and out of engagement with the whorl which includes the elongated element A and the mounting B. Thus, the braking element D is positioned between the mounting means and the rotatable element in fixed relation thereto. A suitable handle E is carried in fixed relation to the elongated element so that the elongated element may be moved in one direction, causing the spinning tape to be received by the rotatable element B. Thus, the tape is removed from the spindle whorl so that very little braking force is required to stop the spindle. The braking force of the spring is complemented by the tension in the tape and is applied by the inside surface of the braking element D which engages the spindle whorl.

The spindle driving arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 1 shows a pair of spindles mounted in a spindle rail 10 which is carried by the frame 11 of a spinning frame. Normally, a pair of similar spindles are mounted upon a spindle rail on the opposite side of the machine so that the four spindles are driven as a group by an endless tape which is passed around the drive cylinder 12. The tape 13 is provided with the usual tension pulley 14 which maintains a constant tension upon the tape 13.

The spindles are illustrated in greater detail in FIG- URES 2 and 3. The spindle base 15 is fixed within the spindle rail 10 by the nut 16, which is carried by a threaded portion 15a of the spindle base 15. The spindle base has a flange 15b on the upper side of the spindle rail 10, and by turning the nut 16 against the washer 16a the spindle base 15 may be tightly positioned upon the rail 10. The spindle 17 is suitably mounted for rotation within the base 15, and has a whorl 18 by which the spindle is driven within the base 15. The whorl has an upper flange 18a and a lower flange 18b for positioning the tape 13 thereon.

The elongated element A is preferably a formed spring having a circular loop 19 formed in one end thereof. From the loop 19 the spring A extends generally arcuately about the spindle whorl 18, and is provided with a more pronounced arcuate portion 20 permitting the lifterrods 21 to move up and down without interference from the brake mechanism. The looped portion of the spring 19 forms a part of its pivotal mounting B, which includes a mounting pin 22 carried upon a base plate 23 within a standard 24, which has upper and lower supports 24a and 24b therefor. It should be noted that the base plate 23 has a bore 23a to accommodate the spindle and is confined between the spindle rail 10 and the flange 15b of the spindle base 15, and may be tightly engaged therebetween by tightening the nut 16.

A dummy whorl in the form of a rotatable element C is carried by the elongated spring element A between a bifurcated portion 25 of the brake element D. The brake element D is fixed upon the elongated spring member A remote from the mounting B as by countersunk screws 26. The rotatable element C is preferably cylindrical in shape and constructed of aluminum which is easily cooled so as to prevent excessive heating. The rotatable element C has upper and lower flanges 28 and 29, respectively, for confining the tape thereon when the brake is in braking position.

The braking element D is illustrated as being in the form of a molded unit preferably constructed of nylon. An arcuate inner surface 30 conforms generally to the whorl 18 and is preferably of such a size as to fit between the upper and lower flanges 18a and 18b of the spindle whorl. If desired, in lieu of the curved surface 34), spaced contact areas may be provided to accommodate a whorl of any particular size. It will be noted that the curved surface 30a initially contacts the whorl and is urged into resilient contact with the whorl until the surface 30 is in seated engagement. The surface 30 is held in resilient engagement with the whorl and extends beyond a line passing through the mounting B and the center line of the spindle for this purpose. Thus, the force of the spring A must be overcome in order to obtain a seated engagement of the braking element D with the whorl, since the distance between the surface 30 and the mounting B is less than that between the mounting B and the remote side of the whorl 18. The tape 13 exerts a force upon the rotatable element C when in braking position tending to urge the braking element D into firmer engagement with the whorl 18.

The lower bifurcated portion 25 has an extension 32 which carries a handle E so that the handle E is in fixed relation to the rotatable element and the braking element. The handle E (FIGURE 1) extends outside of the area defined by the tape 13 so as to be readily accessible and so that the unitary braking elements formed by the elongated spring A which is pivoted at B, the rotatable element C, and the brake D may be pivoted away from the lifter-rod 21. Thus, the braking element will be preferably constructed of right-hand and left-hand configurations.

The plate 23 has a standard 34 which carries a raised portion 33. When in disengaged or rest position, the elongated element A is urged over the raised camming portion 33 against a stop 33a so that the braking members are thus confined in rest position. Since the braking members are all in such fixed relation to each other (even if they were to be articulated or otherwise connected) as to be moved in an arcuate path simultaneously about the pivotal mounting B, there is little chance of the same becoming fouled due to lint accumulations. Once the handle E is pushed sufiiciently for the elongated element to be freed from the camming portion 33 little additional force is necessary to remove the tape 13 from the whorl 18 and cause the braking element D to come into resilient braking position with respect to the whorl 18. Since the dummy whorl C carries the tape 13 there is no change in the speed of the tape which might effect other spindles in the particular drive involved. The spindles may be run at higher speeds since there is no possibility for the tape to become damaged as a result of the excessive friction which would normally develop between the tape and whorl of a braked spindle.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A brake for a spindle with a fixed base having a whorl driven by tape and the like including, an elongated element, a mounting in fixed relation to the spindle base pivotally carrying the elongated element adjacent the spindle and in substantial horizontal alignment with the spindle whorl, a rotatable element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element remote from the mounting, and a braking element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element intermediate the rotatable element and the mounting, said rotatable element when in position receiving the tape extending beyond a line passing through the mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element and the vertical axis of the whorl so as to maintain the braking element against the whorl due to the force applied by the tape to the rotatable element, whereby the elongated element may be moved in one direction causing the tape to be received by the rotatable element removing same from the spindle whorl and causing the braking element to be engaged with the spindle whorl braking the rotation of the spindle.

2. A brake for a spindle with a fixed base having a whorl driven by tape and the like including, an elongated element, a mounting in fixed relation to the spindle base pivotally carrying the elongated element adjacent the spindle and in substantial horizontal alignment with the spindle whorl, a rotatable element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element remote from the mounting, a

braking element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element intermediate the rotatable element and the mounting, said rotatable element when in position receiving the tape extending beyond a line passing through the mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element and the vertical axis of the whorl so as to maintain the braking element against the whorl due to the force applied by the tape to the rotatable element, and a handle carried in fixed relation to the elongated element extending exteriorly of the tape, whereby the handle may be pushed in one direction causing the tape to be received by the rotatable element removing same from the spindle whorl and causing the braking element to be engaged with the spindle whorl braking the rotation of the spindle.

3. A brake for a spindle with a fixed base having a whorl driven by tape and the like including, an elongated element, a mounting in fixed relation to the spindle base pivotally carrying the elongated element adjacent the spindle and in substantial horizontal alignment with the spindle whorl, a braking element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element, a vertical substantially cylindrical element rotatably carried by the elongated element remote from said mounting, said rotatable element when in position receiving the tape extending beyond a line passing through the mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element and the vertical axis of the whorl so as to maintain the braking element against the whorl due to the force applied by the tape to the rotatable element, and a handle carried by the elongated element, whereby the handle may be pushed in one direction causing the tape to be received by the cylindrical element removing same from the spindle whorl and causing the braking element to be engaged with the spindle whorl braking the rotation of the spindle.

4. A brake for a spindle whose base is adapted to be mounted upon a spindle rail having a whorl driven by tape and the like including, an elongated element, a mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element adjacent the spindle and in substantial horizontal alignment with the spindle whorl, a plate adapted to be confined between the spindle base and the spindle rail extending beyond said spindle base carrying said mounting, a rotatable element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element remote from the mounting, and a braking element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element intermediate the rotatable element and the mounting, said rotatable element when in position receiving the tape extending beyond a line passing through the mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element and the vertical axis of the whorl so as to maintain the braking element against the whorl due to the force applied by the tape to the rotatable element, whereby the elongated element may be moved in one direction causing the tape to be received by the rotatable element removing same from the spindle whorl and causing the braking element to be engaged with the spindle whorl braking the rotation of the spindle.

5. A brake for a spindle whose base is adapted to be mounted upon a spindle rail having a whorl driven by tape and the like including, an elongated element, a mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element adjacent the spindle and in substantially horizontal alignment with the spindle whorl, a plate adapted to be confined between the spindle base and the spindle rail extending beyond said spindle base carrying said mounting, a stop normally limiting movement of the elongated element, a rotatable element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element remote from the mounting, and a braking element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element intermediate the rotatable element and the mounting, said rotatable element when in position receiving the tape extending beyond a line passing through the mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element and the vertical axis of the whorl so as to maintain the braking element against the whorl due to the force applied by the tape to the rotatable element, whereby the elongated element may be moved in one direction causing the tape to be received by the rotatable element removing same from the spindle whorl and causing the braking element to be engaged with the spindle whorl braking the rotation of the spindle.

6. A brake for a spindle having a whorl driven by tape and the like including, a resilient elongated element, a mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element adjacent the spindle and in substantially horizontal alignment with the spindle whorl, said elongated element being of arcuate configuration conforming generally to the configuration of the whorl, a rotatable element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element remote from the mounting, and a braking element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element intermediate the rotatable element and the mounting, said resilient elon gated element causing said braking element to be resiliently urged against the whorl when in braking position, whereby the braking element and the rotatable element may be moved in one direction causing the tape to be received by the rotatable element removing same from the spindle whorl and causing the braking element to be engaged with the spindle whorl braking the rotation of the spindle.

7 A brake for a spindle having a whorl driven by tape and the like including, a resilient elongated element, a mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element adjacent the spindle and in substantial horizontal alignment with the spindle whorl, said elongated element being of arcuate configuration conforming generally to the configuration of the whorl, a rotatable element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element remote from the mounting, a braking element carried in fixed relation to the elongated element intermediate the rotatable element and the mounting, said braking element when in braking position extending beyond a line passing through the mounting pivotally carrying the elongated element and the vertical axis of the whorl so as to be resiliently urged against the whorl, and a handle carried in fixed relation to the elongated element, whereby the handle may be pushed in one direction causing the tape to be received by the rotatable element removing same from the spindle whorl and causing the braking element to be engaged with the spindle whorl braking the rotation of the spindle.

8. For use in a ring frame having a spindle drive wherein spindles, the bases of which are mounted upon a spindle rail, are driven in pairs, each pair being driven by a tape passing around the whorls driven. by a cylinder and passed over a tension pulley and wherein lifter rods pass between the spindles, spindle brake means including, a braking element for each spindle, means mounting each braking element adjacent each respective spindle to traverse an arcuate path into and out of engagement with each respective whorl, a rotatable element carried in fixed relation to each braking element remote from the means mounting said braking element, said means mounting each braking element being carried in fixed relation to the respective spindles adjacent the lifter rod so that each braking element swings away from the lifter rod when being placed in braking position, and each of said means mounting each braking element having an indented portion accommodating the lifter rod when the brake is out of engagement with the whorl.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,023,407 Cobb Dec. 10, 1935 2,879,639 Butcher Mar. 31, 1959 2,892,302. Whitehead June 30, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 492,958 Great Britain Sept. 30, 1938 

1. A BRAKE FOR A SPINDLE WITH A FIXED BASE HAVING A WHORL DRIVEN BY TAPE AND THE LIKE INCLUDING, AN ELONGATED ELEMENT, A MOUNTING IN FIXED RELATION TO THE SPINDLE BASE PIVOTALLY CARRYING THE ELONGATED ELEMENT ADJACENT THE SPINDLE AND IN SUBSTANTIAL HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE SPINDLE WHORL, A ROTATABLE ELEMENT CARRIED IN FIXED RELATION TO THE ELONGATED ELEMENT REMOTE FROM THE MOUNTING, AND A BRAKING ELEMENT CARRIED IN FIXED RELATION TO THE ELONGATED ELEMENT INTERMEDIATE THE ROTATABLE ELEMENT AND THE MOUNTING, SAID ROTATABLE ELEMENT WHEN IN POSITION RECEIVING THE TAPE EXTENDING BEYOND A LINE PASSING THROUGH THE MOUNTING PIVOTALLY CARRYING THE ELONGATED ELEMENT AND THE VERTICAL AXIS OF THE WHORL SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE BRAKING ELEMENT AGAINST THE WHORL DUE TO THE FORCE APPLIED BY THE TAPE TO THE ROTATABLE ELEMENT, WHEREBY THE ELONGATED ELEMENT MAY BE MOVED IN ONE DIRECTION CAUSING THE TAPE TO BE RECEIVED BY THE ROTATABLE ELEMENT REMOVING SAME FROM THE SPINDLE WHORL AND CAUSING THE BRAKING ELEMENT TO BE ENGAGED WITH THE SPINDLE WHORL BRAKING THE ROTATION OF THE SPINDLE. 